Calgary Condo Talk

[Electrical Storm]

Originally Posted by geotag277

I think anyone who cooks at home will recognize you did the right thing regarding counter space. I'd much prefer more counter space to a full size fridge and fractional counter space. Unfortunately either option is "bad" for resale but I suspect buyers will recognize the value in the counter space.

The trend in condos for the last 3+ years or so is to put in taller 24" refrigerators in order to minimize uninterrupted counterspace. I still think a larger undercounter fridge, like what Flipstah did is a good idea.

[Jimby]

Originally Posted by flipstah

How much did that cost or was it DIY? I feel like I should do a pass-through but then I lose out on cabinet space.

It cost plenty! I did a total gut job - new ceiling, floors, walls, doors, electrical, lighting, kitchen, bathrooms, windows, and laundry. The only original parts left are the radiators and a bathtub that they couldn't remove easily so it was drilled and turned into a jetted tub.
I didn't do it looking for a return on resale. It is home for a long time I hope.

[flipstah]

Originally Posted by Jimby

It cost plenty! I did a total gut job - new ceiling, floors, walls, doors, electrical, lighting, kitchen, bathrooms, windows, and laundry. The only original parts left are the radiators and a bathtub that they couldn't remove easily so it was drilled and turned into a jetted tub.
I didn't do it looking for a return on resale. It is home for a long time I hope.

Nice. That's roughly the same price I got when quoting a pass-through: A lot.

It's my first home and I'll use it as a stepping stone for a bigger place where I can put a hot tub in.

Not a penthouse although they do allow a hot tub in. One day.

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by flipstah

Interesting. I did the latter, with just sprucing up the kitchen, getting rid of the nasty old appliances, and the old backsplash. Put granite countertops and stainless steel appliances.

Here's a topic of discussion: What's your opinion on this?

A full-size refrigerator killed the counterspace and barely had any. I made the judgement call and bought the biggest undercounter fridge you can get. 30in wide but just short.



I've been living with it for ~7 months and I personally love it but I'm getting people saying that I killed the resale value doing this. It has a freezer big enough to fit probably a week's worth of meat. I did this because Co-op is just 2 blocks away from my house.

Looks great and I think it makes perfect sense for you from what you've said.

You may have hurt re-sale, even if it makes sense for you and if you find fans on this forum, as it simply provides prospective buyers something to point out and negotiate with.

While there are people who will buy your place, you've definitely removed a portion of potential buyers. How many that is, I'm not sure. I know that for me, it would never work, so I'd not even consider (even if the rest of the place made sense).

[geotag277]

Originally Posted by suburbia

Looks great and I think it makes perfect sense for you from what you've said.

You may have hurt re-sale, even if it makes sense for you and if you find fans on this forum, as it simply provides prospective buyers something to point out and negotiate with.

While there are people who will buy your place, you've definitely removed a portion of potential buyers. How many that is, I'm not sure. I know that for me, it would never work, so I'd not even consider (even if the rest of the place made sense).

The thing is, people would also point out the minuscule counter space if he had a full size fridge. Buyers will point things out regardless.

[Fuzz]

It doesn't look like it would be a huge deal to remomve the counter and put a full size fridge in if someone really wanted to anyway. So I don't think you would have done much to damage resale. Not that it matters, if you plan on staying there for a long time. I don't understand why people care so much about resale value if they don't plan on leaving for 10 years.

[Ramsayfarian]

Originally Posted by flipstah

Yeah, it's a Samsung. Majority of the renovation went to the kitchen as I cook a lot and wanted to enjoy it in my domain.

I thought I'd bring it up because I've heard a lot of arguments from my inner circle, on both sides of the coin. I'm curious what the public thinks as that's who dictates the market.

EDIT: Before and after. There's shelving on the upper part to hold a toaster oven,

I'd buy it. Then again, I lived almost 4 years with a small bar fridge when my full size fridge gave up the ghost.

That's a great idea. I don't think you seriously hurt the resale value.
Even if you did, it wouldn't be that hard or expensive to get a full size fridge back in that space.

[Electrical Storm]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

It doesn't look like it would be a huge deal to remomve the counter and put a full size fridge in if someone really wanted to anyway.

When it comes time to sell, do that and buy a ~30" counter depth fridge, with no alternations needed to the millwork. Done.

[flipstah]

Originally Posted by Electrical Storm

When it comes time to sell, do that and buy a ~30" counter depth fridge, with no alternations needed to the millwork. Done.

True. All you have to do is lift the countertop off and boom: fridge. I'll just put a wood countertop as replacement and call it a cutting board.

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

It doesn't look like it would be a huge deal to remomve the counter and put a full size fridge in if someone really wanted to anyway. So I don't think you would have done much to damage resale. Not that it matters, if you plan on staying there for a long time. I don't understand why people care so much about resale value if they don't plan on leaving for 10 years.

Agree - if this is your place for a decade, I'd not worry about it.

Regarding it being an easy fix, I'm not sure I agree with that. It is not easy to cut granite properly on-site. Even if easy, that type of thing scares off buyers - legit reason or not.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by suburbia

Agree - if this is your place for a decade, I'd not worry about it.

Regarding it being an easy fix, I'm not sure I agree with that. It is not easy to cut granite properly on-site. Even if easy, that type of thing scares off buyers - legit reason or not.

As someone who does a lot of renovations, I don't see the big deal. Pop up the slab, take it to a shop to cut and polish, and re-install. If a Realtor says it may be an issue, it's not going to be a big expense to fix before listing, and if you are living with it for a while and prefer the under counter setup, I'd say its well worth it. Though if it is a small unit for one or 2 people, a small fridge may not be an issue at all. In several places I've been in Europe, they'd problem think we were running commercial kitchens with the size of fridges most people have in their homes compared to theirs. So an under counter fridge could be a nice selling point for some. Yes, I know. Not you, Suburbia.

[Jimby]

Qualex just put a bunch of renders of Park Point on Facebook and their website.

[flipstah]

Originally Posted by Jimby

Qualex just put a bunch of renders of Park Point on Facebook and their website.

UGH I really want Plan 4 on the >8th floor.

http://qualex.ca/parkpoint/residences/floorplans/plan-04/

Too bad I'll likely be paying double based on what I have, for less sqft.

I wonder if anyone finds that view worth $200k.

I'm assuming I'll be paying high 3's to $400k for top floor.

[Electrical Storm]

Originally Posted by flipstah

UGH I really want Plan 4 on the >8th floor.

http://qualex.ca/parkpoint/residences/floorplans/plan-04/

Too bad I'll likely be paying double based on what I have, for less sqft.

I wonder if anyone finds that view worth $200k.

I'm assuming I'll be paying high 3's to $400k for top floor.

As per the Park Point brochure and price list (from the VIP pre-opening event), unit 04 ranges from $286k to $323k (+GST). Also worth noting is that units 04 do not come with parking.

[geotag277]

Only problem with the 04 plan is having to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

[speedog]

Where does one put stuff?

There's like absolutely no storage space in this floor plan.

[Fuzz]

Nonsense. There are at least 3sq ft behind the couch.

[*Stardust*]

Originally Posted by speedog

Where does one put stuff?

There's like absolutely no storage space in this floor plan.

I am not a plan of that floorplan. I agree with you regarding the lack of storage, but I also dislike the living room space. The wall where the TV is placed can't be any wider than 3 feet. That would severely limit the size of TV you could put up and the size of the media console/TV stand, speakers.

Plan 1 and 6 are the best one bedroom plans.

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by speedog

Where does one put stuff?

There's like absolutely no storage space in this floor plan.

While I don't get the value proposition, to be fair to this unit, there is storage in the deep closet that has the laundry. This is also a large'ish alcove immediately to the right when you enter, where you could put in a wardrobe.

If the door to the bathroom was a sliding door, the vanity in the bathroom could have completely been on the wall opposite the shower, allowing for a second door from the bedroom. I'm sure this would be a pinch tricky, but could probably be jigged to make it work.

Regarding the wall for the TV, I'd agree that's a challenge.

[Chadillaccc]

I actually like plan two the best. Can't stand the Den ones where the bedroom isn't private. My thing is, if I'm going to pay out the ass for a condo, I'd want to wake up to a beautiful view every day, not frosted glass.


Here's a new one for the Marda Loop BRZ, Max. It is composed of a bunch of 4-storey townhomes I guess.

http://maxcalgary.ca/